Therapeutic apparatus



United States Patent (Curs0ry);l28/155, 156,157, 260, 261, 265, 266, 267, 268, 169

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,371,390 3/1945 Graue 128/268X 2,501,544 3/1950 Shrontz 128/268 2,714,382 8/1955 Alcala 128/268 2,911,973 11/1959 Chieffo 128/265 3,255,749 6/1966 Smithers 128/169 Primary Examiner-Adele M. Eager Attorney-Lillin g & Siegel ABSTRACT: Treatment of athlete's foot or similar diseases by providing in proximity to a foot a pad comprising a semiporous covering layer over a cellular or fibrous core impregnated with antifungal medicament whereby the medicament will be slowly released over a substantial period of time to continuously diffuse over and contact the affected portion of the foot.

PATENTEU [150291970 INVENTOR. JACK W. KAUFMAN ATTORNEYS THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS This invention relates to therapeutic apparatus, and, more particularly, to therapeutic apparatus for the treatment of dis eases such as the disease commonly known as athletes foot.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide therapeutic apparatus for the treatment and prevention of diseases such as athlete's foot.

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing object, is to provide such apparatus that are reliable, inexpensive, and effective.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing objects, is to provide such apparatus which are substantially automatic in operation and do not require substantial effort or skill for effective treatment.

A further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide such apparatus that do not discomfort or hinder the patient.

A yet still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide such apparatus which are inexpensive, economical, and simple in application.

While the invention has been shown, illustrated, described and disclosed in terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiment or modification herein shown, illustrated, described or disclosed, such other'embodim ents or modifications as may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the claims hereto appended.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a foot with apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention positioned thereon;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the foot and apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the foot and apparatus of the preceding figures;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the preceding figures;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the preceding figures;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view, partially in cross section, of another apparatus constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention.

With reference to the drawing, and particularly to FIGS. 1- 6 thereof, there is shown and illustrated therapeutic apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and generally designated by the reference character 10.

The apparatus 10 comprises a semiporous cover 12, a fibrous or cellular pad 14 disposed therewithin and means 16 for securing the apparatus or device 10 relative to a patients foot, or the like. A medicament such as an antifungal powder, or the like, is provided within the device orapparatus 10 for diffusion outwardly through the semiporous covering 12 thereof.

The semiporous cover 12 may be fabricated of any desired semiporous material which, preferably, is flexible, soft and absorbent. Tube gauze or similar woven material has been found to be particularly suitable.

The pad 14 may comprise substantially any desired soft and flexible fibrous or cellular material, such as cotton, rolled cloth or gauze, sponge rubber, foamed plastic, or the like, which is capable of being impregnated with and slowly dissipating an appropriate medicament. Dental roll or loosely rolled cotton has been found particularly suitable.

The securing means 16 may comprise substantially any conventional means utilized to secure a pad or bandage, such as anadhesive, an elastic member, a separable fastener, or the like. The use of a velcro type fastener secured respectively to opposite ends of the cover 12 has been found especially suitable.

Substantially any desired antifungal powder or similar medication may be utilized, and a particularly effective antifungal powder may be compounded of the following ingredients:

Zinc undecylenate Sodium propionate Di-isobutyl resoxy ethoxy-ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride Salicylic acid Aluminum acetate Boric acid Bentonite.

For example, the cover 12 may comprise a piece of approximately /2 in. diameter tubegauze which is approximately 6 inches in length and the pad 14 comprise a dental roll disposed generally centrally therewithin. A generous amount of antifungal powder is impregnated in the dental roll, as by being packed into and around the dental roll prior or subsequent to the positioning of the dental roll within the tube gauze. Since the dental roll is approximately 2 inches long, only about onethird the length of the tube gauze, or a central portion 18 thereof, will be filled by the dental roll. The remaining portions, or end portions 20 and 22, may therefore be utilized as components of the securing means 16 as by being cemented or sewn into a permanently flattened configuration. The end portions 20 and 22 are adapted to he releasably secured together to retain the device 10 in position, as by means of mating portions 22 and 24, respectively, of Velcro-type fastening means being secured therewith. The mating portions 24 and 26 of the velcro-type fastening may be secured with the tube gauze end portions 20 and 22 as by a cement, or the like.

The apparatus or device 10 is utilized by placing the central portion 18 thereof-beneath the three middle toes of the foot (see FIG. 1) with the two end portions 20 and 22 being brought upwardly between the first and second toes, and between the last and next to last toe, respectively, to the top of the foot (see FIG. 2). The medicated part, or the central portion 18 of the device or apparatus 10, will therefore be located in the sulcus of the toes on the plantar surface.

With the apparatus or device 10 so positioned, the apparatus or device will maintain the medicament or antifungal powder in contact with the most susceptible areas prone to fungus infection, that is, intertreginous and in the sulcus of the foot. The device or apparatus 10 further provides a controlled dosage, that is, moderate amounts of the medicament or antifungal powder will be released to diffuse through the semiporous covering 12 and onto the surface of the foot in the region of the toes by pressure upon the central portion 18 of the device or apparatus 10. The device or apparatus 10 by providing the relatively rigid support to the middle three toes prevents or reduces rubbing therebetween and the presence of the end portions of the device or apparatus between the fourth and fifth toes separates the fourth and fifth toes, both results aiding in proper treatment of fungus infections. The central portion 18 provides a crest for the toes, which is a natural or desirable toe configuration, resulting in a high degree of comfort to the patient. Moreover, the device or apparatus 10 may be left on for one or more weeks at a time, being removed only for bathing purposes, enabling the medicament to diffuse over the entire surface of the foot and to remain in contact therewith for very long periods of time. Moreover, the absorbent nature of the apparatus or device 10 effectively controls perspiration, that is, it absorbs moisture normally present on the foot as a further aid in controlling fungus growth.

With reference now to FIG. 7, there is shown and illustrated another device or apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally by the reference character 30 fabricated as an insole to be used for treatment of fungal infections, such as athlete s foot. The insole 30 comprises nonpermeable bottom layer 32 fabricated, for example, from plastic, leather or cellulose. Disposed on the bottom layer 32 is a fibrous or cellular layer 34 comprising, for example, a cotton, foam rubber, or the like, impregnated with antifungal powder as by the powder being packed therein. A cover 36 of a porous or semiporous woven material, or the like is disposed on top of and about the central layer 34 so that the powder or other medicament impregnated into the central layer 34 can diffuse over the entire sole of the foot.

Both of the above apparatus or devices and 30 provide a continuous and automatic contact of the medicament with the infected foot and require very little effort on the part of the patient. Moreover, the apparatus or devices 10 and 30 comprise absorbent material capable of substantially reducing the presence of moisture in the infected region as a further aid in controlling fungal growth and the devices or apparatus 10 and 30 are disposed beneath the foot to release the medicament upon pressure thereon by the foot to diffuse slowly outwardly therefrom.

The device or apparatus 10, furthermore, provides a crest, reduces rubbing movement between the toes, separates the fourth and fifth toes and is capable of remaining in contact with the toes for long periods of time.

The apparatus or device 30 may also be of lesser longitudinal extent than the length of the foot, for example, over a length sufficient to be disposed only under the heel portion of the foot or substantially under the foot but without being under the toes. Such a shortened configuration would enable the provision of a space beneath the foot generally forwardly of the apparatus or device 30, with the medicament diffusing outwardly from the apparatus or device 30 to such space and into contact with the foot.

Moreover, each of the apparatus or devices 10 and 30 may, in addition to the antifungal action or function described above, provide a deodorizing, drying, cooling and disinfecting action or function to eliminate or reduce foot odor and perspiration. As hereinabove described, the apparatus or devices 10 and 30 provide some degree of deodorizing, drying, cooling and disinfecting action or function. Such deodorizing, drying, cooling and disinfecting action or function may be further improved by impregnating the pads 14 and 34, either alone or in combination with an antifungal powder, with a vapor emitting formulation. For example, such a vapor emitting formulation may comprise paraformaldehyde 35 percent; D.C.M.X. 0.15 percent; and exipient-isopropyl alcohol, quantity sufficient to make 100 percent. Another suitable formulation comprises paraformaldehyde 35 percent; hexachlorophene 2-3 percent; and exipientisopropyl alcohol, quantity sufficient to make lOO percent. Yet another suitable formulation comprises paraformaldehyde 35 percent; hexachlorophene (Gl l) l2 percent; camphor l-2 percent; menthol 0.1- 0.5 percent; exipient-acetone 35 percent; and isopropyl alcohol (70 percent) quantity sufficient to make 100 percent.

The above formulations may be applied to the pad in any convenient manner, as by immersing the pad in the formulation and then allowing the pad to dry. Each of the above for mulations releases vapors or fumes to provide the desired treatment and deodorizing upon pressure by a warm, moist foot on such an impregnated pad.

An antifungal powder which has been found to be effective, either alone, or in combination with the vaporizing formulations may be prepared to comprise hexachlorophene (G1 1 l percent; salicylic acid 2 percent; camphor 1 percent; menthol .l.5 percent; zinc undecylenate percent; together with talc and bentonite, a quantity sufficient to make 100 percent.

While the invention has been shown, described, illustrated and disclosed in terms of certain preferred embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein described, disclosed, illustrated or shown. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein,

and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be specifically reserved, especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the claims hereto appended.

lclaim:

1. A disposable therapeutic apparatus comprising, in combination, a relatively thick, soft, flexible, porous pad impregnated with a medicament, a semiporous cover over said pad, and a nonporous support layer underlying said pad, said apparatus adapted to release upon the application of pressure controlled dosages of said medicament whereby said apparatus may remain in use for a long or extended period of time.

2. Therapeutic apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is constructed, configured and arranged to particularly be disposed in the sulcus of the toes on the plantar surface of foot.

3. Apparatus defined in claim 1, configured to define and insole.

4. Apparatus defined in claim 1, or 12 wherein said medicament comprises an antifun gal powder.

5. Apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said antifungal powder comprises a mixture of zinc undecylenate, sodium propionate, diisobutyl resoxy ethoxy-ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, salicylic acid, aluminum acetate, boric acid and bentonite.

6. Apparatus defined in claim 1, or 12 wherein said medicament comprises vapor-emitting material.

7. Apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein said vaporemitting material comprises paraformaldehyde, hexachlorophene and isopropyl alcohol.

8. Apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein said vaporemitting material comprises paraformaldehyde, D.C.M.X. and isopropyl alcohol.

9. Apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein said vaporemitting material comprises paraformaldehyde, hexachlorophene, camphor, menthol, acetone and isopropyl alcohol.

10. Apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein said vaporemitting material comprises the residue from drying a mixture of paraformaldehyde, hexachlorophene and isopropyl alcohol.

11. Apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein said pad is a dental roll and said cover comprises a length of tube gauze.

12. Apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein said tube gauze is of substantially greater longitudinal extent than said dental roll.

13. Apparatus defined in claim 12, wherein the end portions of said tube gauze are adapted to be removably fastened together.

14. Apparatus defined in claim 5, further comprising separable fastener means structurally associated with said end portions of said tube gauze.

15. Apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein said separable fastener means comprises a Velcro-type fastening.

16. Apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein said pad is dental roll impregnated with an antifungal preparation.

17. Apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein said antifungal preparation comprises a mixture of zinc undecylenate, sodium propionate, di-isobutyl resoxy-ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, salicylic acid, aluminum acetate, boric acid and bentonite.

18. Apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein said medicament comprises a vapor-emitting material.

19. Apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein said vaporemitting material comprises paraformaldehyde, hexachlorophene and isopropyl alcohol.

20. Apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein said vaporemitting material comprises paraformaldehyde, D.C.M.X. and isopropyl alcohol.

21. Apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein said vaporemitting material comprises paraformaldehyde, hexachlorophene, camphor, menthol, acetone and isopropyl alcohol.

22. Apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein said vaporemitting material comprises the residue from drying a mixture of paraformaldehyde, hexachlorophene and isopropyl alcohol. 

